Houston Named FNCS Deputy Under Secretary

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the appointment of Kate Houston as Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services. As Deputy Under Secretary, Houston will be responsible for improving the health and well-being of Americans by developing and promoting science-based dietary guidance and administering the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 15 nutrition assistance programs.

“Kate Houston brings extensive nutrition policy experience and a strong commitment to community outreach to this position,” Johanns said. “Her understanding of food and nutrition-related issues and her commitment to improving the lives of fellow Americans has served USDA well and I’m confident the department and the American people will continue to be well-served as Kate takes on this new role.”

Houston comes to the position from USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), where she served as Deputy Administrator for Special Nutrition Programs. Prior to that Houston served more than five years on the professional staff of the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Education and the Workforce.

While at FNS, Houston oversaw the administration of 14 of the Nation’s nutrition assistance programs, including the National School Lunch Program, the WIC Program, and the Food Distribution Program.


Houston earned Bachelor’s degrees in political science and communication from Tulane University, and a Master’s degree in U.S. food and nutrition policy from the Friedman School of Nutrition at Tufts University. She was a 2005 recipient of the Food Research and Action Center’s Distinguished Service to Congress award.